Many of the recent power outages in Kings Avenue, Windsor East, were due to trips after load-shedding as well as cable failures, but this is sorted out now.
So said City Power spokesperson, Isaac Mangena after questions were sent to him by the Randburg Sun.
Residents had gone for days without electricity, and had unplanned outages outside of load-shedding at least once a week since late September.
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In fact, the unplanned outages had been a feature for about two years, but had happened more regularly lately.
“The outages are an effect of load-shedding whereby our Beyers [Naudé Drive] substation and Judges [Avenue] distributor trips more often due to overload when supply is switched back on,” Mangena said.
“There is also a possibility of outages before the scheduled load-shedding, this means if we have a power outage one or two hours before load-shedding – if it happens that load-shedding starts while we are busy running faults our technicians will have to wait until load-shedding is suspended in the area so that power can be restored by repairing the underlying cause.”
He said in the Windsor area, the ageing network suffered greatly due to frequent load-shedding switching, and the cable failure rate was high.
“We would like to confirm that the network is reasonably stable after few more cables were returned to normal configurations.
“As things stand we are still confident that the reliable supply in the area is in order. Residents are encouraged to report essential infrastructure-related matters to City Power’s security control on 011 490 7900/7911/7553, WhatsApp: 083 579 4497 or their local law enforcement.”
When Randburg Sun met with Ward 98 councillor Beverley Jacobs and Windsor East residents, they expressed their disatisfaction with the frequent outages.
“I have assignments and presentations to prepare and my laptop only works when it is plugged in,” Seelan Pillay said, adding he goes to the grocery store to charge his phone.
“When the power goes out, I cannot work at all. Since September these outages have been weekly and even my food has been spoiled after the longer outages. It is an unnecessary expense to replace food.”
Lynn Stevens said she had to buy an invertor just to work, but does not understand why City Power should not have to pay for the device to keep her internet on.
“At least with load-shedding I can manage for two, or two and a half hours, but with these long, unplanned outages I cannot work and I have to go to a friend’s to do so. Some people here have nowhere to go to work.”
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